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Community Priority plant species in Crete: fieldwork April – May 2014
Apostolis Kaltsis, Biologist M.Sc. – Conservationist, University of Athens
The island of Crete hosts an amazingly large fraction of the Greek endemic flora, especially when
regarded in relation to its size. Therefore, it is not surprising that among the 64 Community Priority
plant species (listed under Annexes II and IV of the 92/43 Directive of the European Community)
occurring in Greece, 12 are found in Crete. The biological and ecological features of these 12 species
vary significantly, from plants specialized in islet ecosystems to plants limited in the highest peaks of
the Cretan mountains, from bulbs and annuals to trees, from plants flowering during the winter to
others with a flowering period covering summer and autumn. Greece, as a member state (MS) of the
European Union is obliged to submit every 6 years an updated report regarding the conservation
status of these priority species. At present, the project of the evaluation of the conservation status of
the 64 Community Priority plant species is funded by the Operational Programme "Environment and
Sustainable Development" – Greek Ministry of Environment, Energy & Climate Change. The task of
assessing the conservation status of the priority plant species in the Cretan area is undertaken by the
Department of Botany (Faculty of Biology) of the University of Athens, in collaboration with the
Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh).
During the period between the 24th April and the 3rd May, the research group of the University of
Athens and MAICh conducted field work in Crete regarding the following priority species:
Source of the photographs: University of Athens archive
Anthemis glaberrima
Anthemis glaberrima is an annual daisy, known only from two small uninhabited islets, Imeri
Gramvousa and Agria Gramvousa, at the NW tip of Crete (Gramvousa peninsula). It grows on soil
thickets among coastal calcareous rocks, with a flowering period from the end of April to mid-May.
Despite the persistent strong winds both islets were visited and the fieldwork included mapping of
the subpopulations and estimation of the total number of individuals. It should be noted that the
northern coastal area of Agria Gramvousa has been declared as a Micro-Reserve for this rare plant
species, as part of a 4-year conservation project (CRETAPLANT project, www.cretaplant.biol.uoa.gr).
Anthemis glaberrima plants in bloom, growing in cavities with
soil among maritime rocks.
The rocky coastal area of Agria Gramvousa is
the typical habitat of Anthemis glaberrima.
Source of the photographs: University of Athens archive
Crepis pusilla
Crepis pusilla is a very small annual plant, growing typically on plain sites with clayey soils, often near
grazed sites and livestock farms. The flowering season is April and May. It is not considered as rare in
Crete, since it occurs in several locations throughout the island and in relatively large numbers.
During this field mission, several locations were visited in order to confirm literature citations, while
the size of the subpopulations was estimated in selected sites.
Crepis pusilla plants in late flowering - early
fruiting stage.
Typical habitat of Crepis pusilla in Rodopos peninsula
(W. Chania)
Source of the photographs: University of Athens archive
Silene holzmannii
This beautiful endemic annual plant is, like Anthemis glaberrima, considered as an ‘islet specialist’:
the vast majority of its subpopulations occur on small islets all over the southern Aegean Sea. On the
numerous small islets of the Aegean, competition with other plant species is much more reduced,
while the plants have adopted special adaptations to the harsh environmental conditions (i.e. fleshy
stems and leaves). In Crete, Silene holzmannii has only been found on the small islet of the Vai bay, at
the NE coast of Crete. The islet was visited in late April in order to confirm the presence of the
species there and count all individuals.
The small islet of the Vai bay (left) hosts a
robust subpopulation of Silene holzmannii.
Silene holzmannii plants in bloom.
Source of the photographs: University of Athens archive
Origanum dictamnus
Origanum dictamnus is the famous ‘diktamos’ (dittany), known since ancient times due to its
aromatic and medicinal properties. It is a Cretan endemic, growing on calcareous cliffs and surfaces
throughout the island, with at least 45-50 distinct locations reported. During the project, all locations
known from literature will be visited to confirm the presence of the species. Field visits can take
place even before the flowering period (late June to early August), as dittany plants are easy to
distinguish due to their unique scent and texture. In this field trip several sites were examined in the
wider Rethimnon area. In a later stage, population estimation in selected sites will be conducted.
Origanum dictamnus plants are easily distinguished by
their unique scent and texture.
The vertical cliffs of the numerous gorges of Crete (such as this one, Kissiano gorge
near Spili, central Rethimnon) are the typical habitat of Origanum dictamnus.
Please keep in mind!
Source of the photographs: University of Athens archive
Collection of
rare
and
endangered plant species, even in a
small scale, might become a
damaging factor for their longterm conservation.
- Collection of plant material for
scientific
and/or
commercial
purposes is only permitted with a
special license from the Greek
authorities.
- Enjoy the Cretan and Greek
landscape and natural environment
leaving the minimum possible
footprint.
Thank you!
Locality: Gious Kampos, Central Rethimnon